Sofa bed



July 22, 1969 SOFA BED Filed Jan. 19, 1968 W. C. ROGERS, JR

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I g i T [1: 31:11

INVENTOR WALTER CLARK ROGERS JR.

ATTORNEY July 22, 1969 w. c. ROGERS, JR 3,456,268

SOFA BED Filed Jan. 19. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WAU'ER CLARK ROGERS JR July 22, 1969 Filed Jan. 19. 1968 W. C. ROGERS, JR

SOFA BED LO 9. u.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WALTER CLARK ROGERS JR.

ATTORNEYS y 1969 w. c. ROGERS, JR 3,456,268

son BED Filed Jan. 19, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

"/INVENTOR fwaum CLARK ROGERS JR.

7 M JM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,456,268 SOFA BED Walter Clark Rogers, Jr., High Point, N.C., assignor to Royal Development Company, Inc., High Point, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 596,651, Nov. 21, 1966. This application Jan. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 699,075

Int. Cl. A47c 17/04 US. Cl. 517 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a sofa bed having two mattress sections which are movable between overlying, fully retracted positions for use as a sofa and extended, coplanar, side by side positions for use as a bed; a linkage system which mounts the mattress sections relative to the sofa bed frame such that the mattress sections swing together in overlying relationship into or out of their fully retracted positions at an angle to the horizontal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant's pending US. application Ser. No. 596,651, filed Nov. 21, 1966, now patent No. 3,389,409 and entitled Sofa Bed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention relates to sofa beds of the type which have two mattress sections which are movable between fully retracted sofa positions wherein the mattress sections are in overlying relationship, and extended bed positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally coplanar side by side relationship with one mattress projected from the sofa bed frame. In the sofa position wherein the mattress sections are in overlying relationship, cushion seats may be placed on the upper mattress section to complete the conversion into a sofa.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel sofa bed of the aforedescribed type wherein the mattress sections may be easily and quickly converted into sofa or bed positions with minimum effort and no obstruction between moving parts or by the surrounding sofa bed frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a sofa bed which may incorporate a forwardly projecting backrest with the mattress sections being positioned under the backrest when in the fully retracted sofa positions. Included herein is the provision of such a sofa bed wherein the mattress sections may be moved out of their retracted sofa positions towards their extended bed positions without obstruction by the backrest despite the nesting relationship of the mattress sections below the backrest when in the fully retracted positions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel linkage system for mounting and supporting the mattress sections with respect to the associated sofa bed frame which linkage system will carry out the above mentioned objects.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a sofa bed which will achieve the above objects and yet has a relatively compact, light weight, and economical construction that will successfully endure long periods of repeated use.

The above objects are achieved by a sofa bed which may be briefly described as including upper and lower mattress sections interconnected by two generally parallel mattress link such that the upper mattress section may move relative to the lower mattress section between a re- 3,456,268 Patented July 22, 1969 tracted position overlying the lower section and an extended position projected forwardly from the lower mattress section in generally coplanar side by sid relationship. To the forwardly positioned mattress link, a link forming a support leg is pivoted to be actuated by the mattress link into an extended position projecting downwardly into engagement with a floor or support surface when the mattress sections are extended in the bed positions. A brace link is pivoted at one end to the upper mattress section and to an intermediate portion of the leg to brace the leg in its extended operative position.

The mattress sections are mounted with respect to the sofa bed frame by a main support link having one end pivoted to the sofa bed frame and another end pivoted to one of the mattress links. When the mattress sections are extended in the bed position, the main support link projects generally downwardly below the rear or lower mattress section, and when the mattress sections are moved into the retracted sofa positions, the main support link pivots about its connection to the sofa bed frame into a generally horizontal position. Additional mounting of the mattress sections with respect to the bed frame is provided by a secondary support link located generally at the rear of the lower mattress section where it is pivoted at one end to the sofa bed frame and at its opposite end to a rear portion of the lower mattress section. When the mattress sections are moved between their extended and retracted positions, the secondary support link swings downwardly about its pivotal connection to the sofa bed frame with the lower mattress section moving relative to the secondary support link.

In order to control the seapration of the mattress sections when they move just out of or into their fully retracted positions, a control link is interconnected between the secondary support link and one of the mattress links. The control link is additionally pivoted to the end portion of the main support link opposite the end of the main support link which is pivoted to the sofa bed frame.

In one embodiment, the control link is pivoted both to the main support link and the rearwardly positioned mattress link while in another embodiment, the control link is pivoted to the forwardly positioned mattress link and to the main support link. In this latter embodiment greater delayed separation between the mattress sections when moving into or out of the retracted positions is achieved by connecting the rearwardly disposed mattress link to the upper mattress section by means of a short link and then providing a cross link between the forwardly positioned mattress link and the short link.

T o aid in moving the mattress sections into their extended bed positions, a spring means is connected to the main support link and to the sofa bed frame to bias the main support link into extended position. Another spring mechanism is provided to bias the control link.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the associated drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sofa bed linkage system embodying the present invention with the linkage system shown in fully folded or retracted position and with portions of the sofa bed shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the linkage in the position when the mattress sections of the sofa bed initially move out of fully retracted positions;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the linkage and mattress sections shown in a further advanced partly unfolded position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the linkage and mattress sections shown in their fully extended bed positions and also illustrating in phantom prior intermediate positions thereof; and

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views respectively corresponding to FIGS. 1 through 4 described above but however, illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now -to the drawings in detail and initially to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, this embodiment includes a typical sofa bed frame having armrests 10 (one shown) between which extends a backrest 12, and a pair of mattress sections 18 and 20 received in the space partly enclosed by the backrest and armrests. Any suitable frame construction including legs 19 may be employed and a further description of the frame is not believed to be necessary for an understanding of the present invention.

As will be described in greater detail, mattress sections 18 and 20 are mounted with respect to the sofa bed frame for movement between fully retracted positions for use in forming a sofa as shown in FIG. 1 and fully extended positions for use in forming a bed as shown in FIG. 4. In their retracted positions, mattress sections 18 and 20 are in generally overlying, coextensive relationship with their rear sides or edges received under the lower part 17 of the backrest as shown in FIG. 1. When in their fully extended positions, mattress sections 18 and 20 are in generally coplanar side by side relation with the upper mattress section 18 projected forwardly of the lower mattress section 20. Although not shown, one or more cushion seats are usually provided on the upper mattress section 18 to complete the conversion into a sofa. However if desired, the sofa bed may be designed to incorporate the cushions as an integral part of the upper mattress section.

Mattress sections 18 and 20 are interconnected for movement relative to each other between their extended and retracted positions by a pair of parallelogram links 22 and 24, hereinafter referred to as mattress links pivotally connected generally at their opposite ends by pivots 26 and 28 to the mattress sections. Two pairs of such mattress links 22 and 24 are employed, one on each end of the mattress sections. However, for purposes of brevity, only one pair has been shown and will be described. Similarly, the remaining parts of the overall linkage system shown in the drawings and to be described pertains only to one side of the sofa bed, it being understood that the opposite side of the sofa bed will have an identical linkage system which need not be described.

To eflect the connection of mattress links 22 and 24 to mattress sections 18 and 20, an anchoring member or link shown in the form of a plate 30 is fixed along the end of each mattress section, and mattress links 22 and 24 are pivoted to this anchoring plate. The length of mattress links 22 and 24 is sufiicient to permit upper mattress section 18 to move over lower mattress section 20 when moving between the extended and retracted positions. Additionally, mattress links 22 and 24 are connected with respect to the mattress sections to maintain the latter in generally parallel interrelationship throughout movement between their extended and retracted positions.

When the forward or upper mattress section '18 is in the bed position shown in FIG. 4, it is supported by a front support leg or link 32 pivotally connected at 33 to the upper end of the forward mattress link 22 to be actuated between extended and retracted positions by the forward mattress link 22 as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Additionally, a brace 34 is pivotally connected at one end by pivot 35 to mattress section 18 and at its other end by pivot 37 to an intermediate point on support leg 32.

Mattress sections 18 and 20' are mounted and supported with respect to the frame by a linkage system which includes a main support link 40 the lower end portion of which is pivotally connected with respect to the frame by pivot 42. The opposite end of main support link 40 is pivotally connected by pivot 43 to the lower end portion of rear mattress link 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection of main support link 40 to the frame is effected by an elongated anchor member in the form of a bar 46 rigidly fixed to the armrest frames such as by screws (not shown) which extend through holes 47. Anchor bar 46 extends at an incline from the front of the sofa upwardly to the rear thereof.

When mattress sections 18 and 20' move from their retracted to their extended positions, main support link 40 pivots counterclockwise as viewed in the drawings about its lower pivot 42. When the mattress sections move in the reverse directions, that is, from their extended to their retracted positions, main support link 40 will move clockwise about its pivot 42. In addition to governing the projection of the mattress sections forwardly during their movement into the extended positions, main support link 40 also governs the elevation of lower mattress section 20 when in the fully extended position. Thus, in the extended positions of the mattress sections, main support link 40 extends generally vertically upwardly to provide intermediate support for the mattress sections as shown in FIG. 4. When the mattress sections are in their fully retracted sofa positions, main support link extends generally horizontally from its pivot 42 towards the rear of the sofa bed as shown in FIG. 1.

In addition to main support link 40', the mattress sections are also supported and mounted with respect to the frame by means of a rear support link '50 which may be termed a secondary or auxiliary support link. In the specific form illustrated, this link has a generally inverted J-shape including a straight first portion 52 the end of which is pivoted by pivot 54 to the upper end of anchor bar 46. At the bend of link 50, it is pivoted by pin 56 to the rear end of anchor plate 30' of lower mattress section 20. It will thus be seen that the rear of lower mattress section 20 is supported from the frame by secondary support link 50 such that when moving into or out of the fully retracted position, mattress section 20, at its rear, is governed by the swinging movement of secondary support link 50. This swinging movement causes the lower mattress section to move angularly into or out of the retracted position. In this manner, the mattress sections are able to swing under backrest 12 without obstruction.

In order to prevent obstructive engagement with backrest 12 during movement of the mattress sections 18 and 20 into or out of their fully retracted positions, it is also necessary that the mattress sections be maintained in overlying relationship and moved together substantially as a unit until such time as they clear backrest 17. To achieve this, a control link 70 is provided which delays separation of the mattress sections as they move out of their fully retracted positions.

Control link 70 has one end pivotally connected by pin 72 to the extremity of the angularly projecting portion 57 of secondary support link 50 and an opposite end pivotally connected by pin 43 to rear mattress link 24. As described above, pivot pin 43 also connects main support link 40 to the rear mattress link 24 so that this pivot is common to rear mattress link 24, main support link 40, and control link 70. In the shown embodiment pivot pin 43 is spaced a short distance from pivot pin 28 which connected rear mattress link 24 to anchor plate 30.

The eflect of control link 70 is to maintain the mattress sections in overlying and coextensive relationship as they intially move from their retracted positions towards their extended positions or vice-versa so that the mattress sections in this phase of movement move together as a unit. This enables the mattress sections to move under backrest 16 without obstruction While minimizing the manual elfort necessary to convert the sofa bed.

In order to further facilitate movement of the mattress sections from their retracted to their extended positions,

a tension spring means is provided in the form of a tension coil spring 80. One end of tension spring 80 is fixed to the lower extremity of main support link 40 by means of a short link 82 pivoted to link 40 while the other end of spring 80 is anchored with respect to the frame by means of a link 84 which is fixed to the frame and anchor bar 46.

A secondary biasing mechanism may also be provided as illustrated by tension spring 90 one end of which is connected to a short pivot arm 92 connected to anchor plate 30 of mattress section 20 while the other end is anchored to control link 70 by an arm 94 rigidly fixed to the latter. Movement of pivot arm 92 relative to support plate 30 is limited by a stop 96 fixed to the latter. It will thus be seen that spring 90 has the effect of biasing control link 70 and secondary support link 50 forwardly to facilitate movement of the mattress sections into their extended bed positions.

As described above, both ends of mattress sections 18 and 20 have an identical linkage system although only one has been shown and described. In order to harmonize the linkage systems on the opposite ends of the mattress sections, a torsion bar 98 is connected between main support link 40 of each linkage system.

To briefly review operation of the linkage system, assuming the sofa bed is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 and conversion into a bed is desired. Upper mattress section 18 is first pulled upwardly such as by means of a handle (not shown) secured at the forward edge thereof. This initial movement swings secondary support link 50 in a clockwise direction from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2. At the same time, the main support link moves counterclockwise into the partly raised position shown in FIG. 2. The result is that lower mattress section 20 is swung under backrest 16 into a titled or inclined position such as shown in FIG. 2. Because of secondary support link 50 and the associated control link 70, upper mattress section 18 remains in overlying coextensive relationship with the lower mattress section and moves together with the latter during this initial phase so that there is no obstruction from the backrest.

Upper mattress section 18 is then pulled forwardly and after a certain point, control link 70 permits mattress link 24 to begin to unfold in a counterclockwise direction thus raising upper mattress section 18 away from lower mattress section 20 while at the same time projecting the upper mattress section forwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3. Continued movement of upper mattress section 18 forwardly causes mattress links 22, 24 to continue to swing forwardly with the upper mattress section moving in front of the lower mattress section. When the mattress sections reach the position generally shown in phantom in FIG. 4, they may be easily guided downwardly with the help of gravity into the fully extended positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. It Will be noted that during the final phase of movement, the pivoting of forward mattress link 22 will cause front leg 32 to unfold in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 33 which in turn will cause brace 34 to pivot clockwise about pivot 35 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In cases where the spacing between the overlying mattress sections in their retracted positions and the lower portion of backrest 12 is very close or minimal, greater delayed separation between the mattress sections is required during their movement out of their fully retracted positions. In this situation, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 is preferable in order to provide greater delay of separation between the mattress sections. This is achieved by the provision of two control links including a short link 100 which has one end pivoted at 104 to the rear end of anchor plate 30a of upper mattress section 182 and an opposite end pivoted at 106 to the extremity of rear mattress link 24a as clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The second control link 102 has one end pivoted to the rear mattress link 24a also by pivot 106 and its opposite end pivoted to forward mattress link 22a by pivot 108 which is below pivot 26a connecting the forward mattress link 22a to anchor plate 30a. It will be noted that pivot 106 is common to both control links and 102 and also rear mattress link 24a.

The presently described embodiment further differs from the initially described embodiment in that control link 70a which is connected to the secondary support link 50a is not directly connected to the rear mattress link 24a but rather is extended to the front mattress link 22a and pivoted to the latter by pivot 112 which lies adjacent pivot 28a.

However, similar to the above described embodiment, main support link 40a is pivoted at 42a to control link 70a intermediate its ends as clearly shown in FIG. 7. Additionally rear mattress link 24a is pivoted at 28a to anchor plate 30 of lower mattress section 20a. The remaining portions of the linkage in the presently described embodiment are generally the same as that described above.

It will thus be seen that in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 8 front mattress link 22a is further restrained by control links 100 and 102 during the initial phase of movement out of the fully retracted position so that the mattress sections are maintained and moved together in overlying relationship as a unit to provide the delayed separation for clearing or avoiding obstructive contact with the backrest.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a sofa bed including a frame and a pair of mattress sections; linkage means for supporting the mattress sections for movement between fully retracted positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally overlying relationship and extended positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected forwardly from the other mattress section, said linkage means including a first mattress link having opposite portions adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the mattress sections respectively, a main support link having a portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the frame and an opposite portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, a secondary support link having a portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the frame and an opposite portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, and a control link having a portion pivotally connected to said secondary support link and an opposite portion pivotally connected to said main support link.

2. The linkage means defined in claim 1 wherein said control link is also pivotally connected to said mattress link.

3. The linkage means defined in claim 2 further including a second mattress link having opposite portions adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said mattress sections in generally parallel relationship to said first mattress link, and wherein said control link is pivotally connected to one of said mattress links.

4. The linkage means defined in claim 3 wherein said main support link and said control link are pivotally connected to the same mattress link.

5. The linkage means defined in claim 3 wherein said mattress links are adapted to be situated forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the mattress sections and wherein the control link is pivotally connected to the mattress link adapted to be positioned forwardly with respect to the mattress sections.

6. The linkage means defined in claim 1 further includ ing a second mattress link having opposite portions adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said mattress sections forwardly of said first mattress link, a second control link having a portion pivotally connected with respect to said first mattress link and having an opposite portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said one mattress section, and a third control link having opposite portions pivotally connected with respect to said mattress links respectively.

7. The linkage means defined in claim 6 wherein said second and third control links are connected to said first mattress link by a common pivot.

8. For use in a sofa bed including a frame and a pair of mattress sections; linkage means for supporting and controlling the mattress sections for movement between fully retracted positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally overlying relationship and extended positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected forwardly from the other mattress section, said linkage means including a pair of mattress links, one mattress link having opposite portions adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said mattress sections respectively, the other mattress link having a first end portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, a first control link having one end pivotally connected with respect to the opposite end portion of said other mattress link and adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said one mattress section, and a second control link having opposite end portions pivotally connected with respect to said mattress links.

9. The linkage means defined in claim 8 wherein said control links are pivotally connected to said other mattress link by a common pivot.

10. The linkage means defined in claim 9 further in- 14. The sofa bed defined in claim 12 wherein said linkage means includes a second mattress link having opposite end portions pivotally connected with respect to said mattress sections in generally parallel relationship to said first mattress link, and wherein said control link is pivotally connected to one of said mattress links.

15. The sofa bed defined in claim 14 wherein said control link is pivotally connected with respect to the forwardly positioned mattress link.

16. The sofa bed defined in claim 14 wherein said control link is pivoted to the rearwardly positioned mattress link.

17. A sofa bed comprising in combination a frame, a pair of mattress sections, and linkage means pivotally supporting and controlling the mattress sections for movement between fully retracted positions wherein the mattress sections are in generally overlying relationship, and extended positions wherein said mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section projected forwardly from the other mattress section, said linkage means including a pair of mattress links positioned forwardly and rearwardly respectively of said mattress sections, theforwardly positioned mattress link having opposite end portions pivotally connected to said mattress sections respectively, the rearwardly positioned mattress link having a lower end portion pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, a first control v link having one end portion pivotally connected with recluding a main support link having one end portion adapted to be pivotaly connected with respect to the frame and having an opposite end portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, and a secondary support link having one end portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to the frame and an opposite portion adapted to be pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section.

11. The linkage means defined in claim 10 further including a control link having spaced portions pivotally connected to said secondary support link and one of said mattress links.

12. A sofa bed comprising in combination, a frame, a pair of mattress sections, and linkage means for supporting and controlling said mattress sections for movement between fully retracted positions wherein said mattress sections are in overlying relationship and extended positions wherein said mattress sections are in generally coplanar relationship with one mattress section being projected forwardly from the other mattress section, said linkage means including a first mattress link having opposite portions pivotally connected to said mattress sections respectively, a main support link pivotally connected with respect to the frame and having a portion pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, a secondary support link having one end portion pivotally connected with respect to the frame and having an opposite spaced portion pivotally connected to said other mattress section, and a control link having spaced portions pivot ally connected to said secondary support link and said main support link respectively.

13. The sofa bed defined in claim 12 wherein said control link is also pivotally connected to said mattress link.

spect to said one mattress section and an opposite end portion pivotally connected with respect to the upper end portion of said rearwardly positioned mattress link, and a second control link having opposite end portions pivotally connected to said mattress links respectively.

18. The sofa bed defined in claim 17 wherein said control links are pivotally connected to said rearwardly positioned mattress link by a common pivot.

19. The sofa bed defined in claim 17 wherein said linkage means further includes a main support link pivotally connected with respect to said frame and having an upper end portion pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section, and a secondary support link having one end portion pivotally connected with respect to the frame and having an opposite portion pivotally connected with respect to said other mattress section.

20. The sofa bed defined in claim 18 wherein said linkage means further includes a control link pivotally connected to said secondary support link and also pivotally connected to one of said mattress links.

21. The sofa bed defined in claim 19 wherein said control link is also pivotally connected to said main support link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,903,045 9/1959 Viall 297 X 3,389,409 6/1968 Rogers 5-17 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5-28 

